PDEA bags first major drug bust

- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conducted a drug bust on Tuesday that led to the capture of three Taiwanese citizens

- PDEA said that the seized drugs are likely for local distribution only

- This is the PDEA’s first major drug bust under the leadership of Undersecretary Isidro Lapeña

At around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office-National Capital Region and police officers from the Southern Police District raided a house on Philamlife Ville, Pamplona 2, Las Piñas hiding a shabu lab capable of carrying shabu over 100 kilograms per week.

In the process, two Taiwanese nationals identified as Chin Ming Tsai and Cheng Chuan Kou were arrested.

The raiding team seized from the shabu lab about 99 kilos of shabu, 298 kilos of liquid methamphetamine hydrochloride with estimated combined market value of PHP 1.7 billion.

READ ALSO: Investigation on drug killings sought in congress

On the same night at about 7:30 p.m., drug operatives also raided another house located at Unit 10, Executive Village Society in BF Homes, Parañaque which they believe is a storage facility for ready to be placed in the market.

The three suspects are already detained in PDEA and were charged with violating Sections 8 and 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002. Said sections prohibits the manufacture of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals and possession of dangerous drugs.

Wilkins Villanueva, PDEA NCR Regional Director, says that the drugs are likely for local distribution only. He also added that those arrested are involved in a transnational drug trafficking organization.

“Since looking at the whole system here, I believe that the three Taiwanese nationals belong to the transnational drug group. Members of Chinese drug trafficking organization are already leaving one by one. So, nakita siguro nila, nakakita sila ng opportunity itong mga Taiwanese na ito. Taiwanese drug trafficking organizations, once in a while lumalabas sila eh, but as of now medyo nag proproliferate sila ng husto,” he said.

(Since looking at the whole system here, I believe that the three Taiwanese nationals belong to the transnational drug group. Members of Chinese drug trafficking organization are already leaving one by one. They [Taiwanese nationals] probably saw an opportunity. [The] Taiwanese drug trafficking organizations, once in a while they come out, but as of now they are really proliferating.)

(In the Philippines we have transnational drug trafficking organizations. First, is the Chinese drug cartel. Second, is what we call the African drug syndicate. And the third that is entering [our country] is the Mexican drug cartel.)

This is the first major drug bust for the PDEA. Undersecretary Isidro Lapeña said that he is bent on fulfilling President Duterte’s marching orders of suppressing drugs within three to six months.

Las Piñas Chief of Police Senior Superintendent Jemar Modequillo said that the success of the operations would not have been possible without the help of the citizens.

“We are actually encouraging all the people including, particularly people living in Las Piñas to help in any way around. Kung mayron man silang impormasyon na nakalap with regard to any activities like this, dapat makarating agad iyan sa atin,” he said.

(We are actually encouraging all the people including, particularly people living in Las Piñas to help in any way around. If they have any information with regard to any activities like this, it has to reach us immediately.)

With over 30 killings in less than a week and a transnational drug bust operation successfully on the record, violators are now warned that some lives may be lost along the way as the police will not hesitate to apply the full force of the law. - IS, Kami Media